Skirt steak marinated in lime juice, jalapeños, and cilantro make for the juiciest and most tender beef fajitas.
- Prep Time:
15 mins - Cook Time:
20 mins - Total Time:
35 mins *
*Plus marinating time.
I don’t know about you but I am hungry. I have been cooking, styling, and photographing these fajitas for the last hour and these pictures are making my stomach growl.
It could have also been listening to that perfect sizzle as the steak seared in the hot pan.
Or maybe it was tasting the onions as they began to caramelize. Are you hungry now?
I have been using this recipe for a long time and it never ceases to make my mouth water. The marinade really makes the beef tender and juicy.
I always let the meat marinate overnight because I think it is easier to make the marinade after dinner one evening than try to remember to do it in the morning while getting two kids ready for school. When I get home, I sear the meat on the stove and while it finishes cooking in the oven, I cook the vegetables and set out the guacamole, pico de gallo, and tortillas.
For a weeknight meal, I buy prepared guacamole and pico de gallo from my grocery store. If your grocery store does not carry these, you can use your favorite jarred salsa instead. Or you can make your own – I will share my favorite recipes for guacamole and pico de gallo soon.
Marinated Beef Fajitas
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes (plus marinating time)
- Yield: 4-6 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sear, Roast
- Cuisine: American
Description
Skirt steak marinated in lime juice, jalapeños, and cilantro make for the juiciest and most tender beef fajitas.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds skirt steak
- 1 scallion, coarsely chopped
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped
- 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1/4 cup canola oil plus more for cooking
- Juice of 1 lime (about 2–3 tablespoons fresh lime juice)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1/4 inch strips
- 1 small onion, cut into strips
- Guacamole, pico de gallo, and tortillas for serving
Instructions
- Marinate beef. Place the steak in a glass baking dish. Combine the scallion, jalapeño, cilantro, oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper into a blender. Purée until well blended. Pour the mixture over the steak. Turn the steak so that the marinade evenly coats both sides. Cover and refrigerate for 6 hours or up to overnight.
- Cook beef. Remove the meat from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Heat 1/2 tablespoon oil in a large cast iron skillet. When nearly smoking, add the steak and sear on both sides (about 2 minutes per side). This may need to be done in batches if the steak does not fit into the skillet all at once. Add more oil as needed to prevent sticking. Transfer seared steak to a foil lined rimmed baking sheet and cook in oven until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees, about 15-20 minutes.
- Cook peppers and onions. While the steak finishes cooking, add 1/2 tablespoon of oil to the skillet and heat oil until very hot. Add the onions. Stir-fry over medium high heat until onions begin to soften and get lightly browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Add bell peppers and continue to cook until bell peppers are tender crisp.
- Serve. When steak is done, transfer it to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice the steak into thin strips across the grain. Transfer the steak, onions and peppers to a platter and serve immediately with guacamole, pico de gallo and tortillas.
Notes
- Recipe adapted from the Steaklover’s Cookbook.
Joseph says
Amazing recipe.
Taming of the Spoon says
Thanks, Joseph! I’m so glad you liked the recipe. It’s one of my all time favorites.